Top Pick Stats: 375/1086 (-$406.70) Best Bets: 47/97 ($8.20); Spot Plays: 19/97 (-$55.60) Best Bet: IKES DREAM (Race 12) Spot Play: LAMANDIER A (Race 4) Early Pick-5: 4,5,9/5,6/5,6/1/3,9,10   $7.20 Middle Pick-5: 4,6,9/2,7,10/1,5/2,5/5   $7.20 Late Pick-5: 1,5/2,5/5/1,5,9/6   $2.40 Race 1: 4 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 1 RACE (WINNERS FOR A PURSE OF $9,000 OR LESS 2 RACES) OR $9,000 LIFETIME. NO ALLOWANCES. (9) LISTEN LINDO showed what he was capable of in last week’s runaway win at Flamboro. Tonight, the leading driver gives him the nod. (4) CHOICE IS MINE has looked better in every start and draws a post that gives him plenty of options in the early stages. (5) ELLINGTON has the sharpest turn of foot in this group, and could capitalize if the pace gets too fast up front. [DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card] Race 2: 4 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER NW $15,000 (ON SIRED $18,750) LIFETIME. (5) BAJAN FIREFLY took a lot of support in last week’s race and came charging down the center of the track, but just missed. He should have every chance to pick off the potential cheap speed up top. (6) LIQUOR TALKIN makes his Mohawk Park debut after grinding out a nice win last week at Western Fair. It’s to be determined how much more speed he will show on the bigger track, but he has shown a nice turn of foot in London. (2) CHEF is likely to be an underlay again with James Macdonald in the bike. He tried the front last week and raced well, but had to settle for third. He has some ability, but will need to work out a trip. Race 3: FILLIES & MARES, NW $11,950 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $19,500 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $50,000. (6) MS QUICK SAND went down the road impressively last week in what was her best performance in quite a while. She faces some classier horses tonight, but I’ll give her the nod at a square number. (5) GLENBORO makes sense off the drop from the Open level, and she is likely to be forwardly placed off the car. She shines at this level. I’m not sure what to do with (9) CAVIAR N CRACKERS. She made a big move to get to the front last week, but got collared late in the mile. Now, she will have to navigate from post nine while not being in the best form. Race 4: NW $6,100 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $12,000 LAST 8 STARTS (W/O $21,500 LAST 8 STARTS N/E). AE: $66,000 OR N/A $1,725 P/S IN 2024-25. (1) LAMANDIER A was keeping pace with the classy foes he qualified with, and looked to get around the track well. He matches up with this group extremely well in my opinion. I’ll count on him being ready to roll in his first start from the Land Down Under. Take your pick after that. (8) SNACK ATTACK came up short when trying the front last week as the odds on choice. I can see him blasting out again and holding off the rest of the pack, minus my top pick. (4) PREMIER FIRST STAR has a sharp turn of foot when racing from off the pace that could be used to pass a few horses late and add some value to the ticket. Davis gives him the nod. Race 5: CLAIMING HANDICAP $30,000 TO $40,000. ALLOWANCES FOR AGE & SEX. ENTER IN MULTIPLES OF $1,000. (9) KYLES ART makes his second start back after an obvious tightener last week. It might be a week too soon to be going guns blazing from an outside draw, but he could easily clear before they get to the turn in my opinion. He could provide some solid value to close out the early Pick-5. (3) HF PANS SHADOW was gapping behind the top two choices, but caught back up to them around the final turn and nearly stole it in the end. He is a tough horse to put away. (10) HOWMAC VICTOR is the other obvious speed threat, but has to work from the high draw tonight. He is another horse who is frequently battling throughout the length of the stretch. It wouldn’t surprise me if he got the jump on everyone. Race 6: NW $9,500 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $18,000 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $50,000. This race was a massive struggle. I think Soaring Now is slightly vulnerable, and if he is on the lead, he could easily get picked off by the pocket horse in my opinion. The problem is predicting who could trip out. (9) PACINO HANOVER doesn’t show that kind of speed very often, but I think if he is forwardly placed tonight, he could show up with a big effort. This is a weaker bunch than what he faced last week. (4) SOARING NOW has obvious back class and sharp miles over this racetrack, it’s only his second start since July, and he will certainly be an underlay. I’ll try to beat him. (6) UNCLE SHANK A was a horse I considered up top because of his sharp early speed, but last week’s break in stride might have thrown a wrench in his form. We’ll see how he rebounds tonight. Race 7: FILLIES & MARES OPEN. I’ll take a big swing with (2) SO MUCH MORE who has been hampered with tough trips in her last few tries at the top level. J-Mac sticks with the mare who has turned back the clock multiple times this season, and has a post edge on her main rivals. (10) GRIT N GRACE has been razor sharp in recent weeks, but is usually the beneficiary of cheap middle halves that allow her to sprint away from her competition at the top of the stretch. The high draw doesn’t help. (7) ABSOLUTION could have the race set up perfectly for her by Grit N Grace if she blasts to the lead. Those aforementioned cheap middle halves put her in a tough spot with her off the pace style. Last week’s tactics change adds some more intrigue to her. Race 8: HORSES & GELDINGS STARTERS FOR A PURSE OF $10,000 OR LESS IN LAST 5 STARTS. (1) CONTROL THE POWER has been knocking at the door in recent weeks. His last two tries at a similar level saw him post sharp speed and miss by about a length in both. The race could set up for him to stalk from up close and pounce late. (5) EASILY THE BEST was, as predicted, a price that nobody liked, and in a spot that he really should have won, and he did. He should be able to get towards the front easily enough, but the question is how will he respond when taking pressure. (9) TRICKY MCWICKY rebounded nicely last week as the odds on choice. Outside draws haven’t been a problem for him in recent weeks. He is a logical use on tickets. Race 9: NW $15,500 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $32,000 LAST 8 STARTS. AE: OPT. CLM. $70,000. AE: NW $100,000 LIFETIME. (2) MIRACULOUS DESBI N produced a huge effort in what was his first start in over a month. He started his move from eighth and continued to pass horses down the backstretch, even while getting late pulled on and being forced three wide. He nearly got alongside Taurasi, and only lost by a length. Leading driver James Macdonald gets the call tonight. I’ll look for him to step forward and get the job done. (5) BRUNO NO NO NO may not be an Open level horse… yet, but he would have won last week if he got out sooner. He has the speed to go with these, and Plante gave him the nod after being listed on both. (6) DUBLIN DASHER rebounded nicely last week with a perfect trip. He can show sharp early speed and should be a factor when they turn for home. Race 10: NW $1,250 LAST 4 STARTS (W/O $7,500 LAST 8 STARTS N/E). AE: N/A $745 P/S IN 2025 (MIN 10 STARTS). (5) SAULSBROOK LITTEN should take some support again tonight, at least from the trip handicappers. He took a rough shuffle and couldn’t find clear racetrack until it was far too late. I’ll give him the nod with a cleaner trip. (7) FOREFATHER has been mired at the back in recent weeks. He hasn’t shown as much pop in his last two tries, but he can pass horses quickly when he is on his game. (8) BRONX DRIFTER made a nice, sustained move to get himself into contention last week. A similar trip is likely in store from this post. [DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter] Race 11: 5 YEAR OLDS & YOUNGER, NW 2 RACES OR $33,750 (OS $37,500) LIFETIME. I’ll try value shopping again with (9) COALFORD TOPGUY GB who has produced some sharp efforts from off the pace. He showed late interest in his last race over the Mohawk oval. If he can work off a helmet from this draw, he could be dangerous. (1) DOCS EARNEST has been consistently knocking on the door, and has sharp early speed to get him in a good position. He has yet to win this season, but is usually in the mix. (5) MOVING ON OVER was working into contention last week before making a couple of breaks around the final turn. That was his first start off the claim, which could raise concerns. If he’s right, he can win. If not, you know the result. Race 12: NW $2,500 LAST 4 STARTS OR NW $8,900 LAST 8 STARTS. (W/O $10,000 LAST 8 STARTS N/E). I’ll try (6) IKES DREAM again, but this time at a much shorter price. He was able to get a check last week after taking to the back. With the post relief tonight, McNair should put him in play. (5) PRIMARY DRIVER gets a drop in class after getting a check last week. His speed from Ohio has carried to Canada. He looms as a threat if he can work out a trip. (3) HESINCONTROL has changed tactics in recent weeks and it has resulted in some strong finishes. He can battle hard when racing from up close and should be in contention when turning for home.